Long-term care spans a broad range of very diverse services and a pivotal location within the overall continuum of health and health care. Changes in one component of care affect and are affected by all other components as health care may be characterized as a dynamic series of interdependent processes and persons. The current state of Canadian health care, in general, and long-term care, in particular, demands the skilful juggling of universality and diversity to maximize both these characteristics without sacrificing either. In an atmosphere of reform and fiscal restructuring, the organizational, utilization and financing implications for this system on a tightrope are substantial. The challenges are of major proportions in maintaining a balance while securing a future system that is efficient, efficacious, equitable, effective and empowering.
